Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace
September 10, 2021

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vowed that government will remain committed in strengthening its efforts in providing equitable and responsive service, particularly in the areas of safety and tertiary education, as he signed the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act and witnessed the presentation of newly enacted laws on various state universities and colleges (SUCs) during a ceremony held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace.

The Chief Executive remarked that the BFP Modernization Act, which embarks the BFP into a 10-year modernization period, would boost the morale, efficiency, responsiveness and professionalism of the country’s firefighters in fulfilling their mandate to save people’s lives.

“The Bureau of Fire Protection has been instrumental in the success of our collective efforts to provide rescue and relief operations in areas hit by destructive fires and calamities,” said the President.

At present, the BFP has 30,811 firefighters which is only 55.74% of the country’s requirement of 55,270 fire officers to serve the 110.54 million projected population of the Philippines this 2021.

One of the President’s priority legislative measures, the law includes the acquisition of modern fire equipment, expansion of the BFP’s manpower and provision of specialized training for firefighters, among others.

“It is my hope that this milestone will further inspire the men and women of the BFP to hone their skills and expertise in the areas of fire prevention and suppression, as well as emergency medical response and disaster preparedness and resilience,” the President stressed.

After the signing ceremony, President Duterte witnessed the presentation of newly enacted laws on various state universities and colleges that included the renaming of one (1) state college and one (1) state university, and the conversion of four (4) state colleges into state universities.

“I look forward to witnessing the state universities and colleges to produce our future generation of leaders and professionals of our country,” he said while citing that the conversions will provide students, especially in far-flung areas, with a more advanced learning and professional training in a more conducive learning environment.

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